Mancini Plays with Reserve Players
Saudi National Football Team Struggles with Reserve Players
Coach Roberto Mancini Complains about Lack of Opportunities
Italian Roberto Mancini, coach of the Saudi national football team, has expressed his frustration about the lack of opportunities for most of his players with their clubs. He revealed that he has had to rely on 20 reserve players in the list for the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
Press Conference Following Draw with Indonesian Team
This came during a press conference following the 1-1 draw with the Indonesian national team, on Thursday evening, in the first round of the third and decisive stage of the qualifiers.
Weak Effectiveness in Front of Goal
The coach noted that the Greens were suffering from a problem of weak effectiveness in front of goal, and wasting several opportunities that would have guaranteed them victory.
Difficulty of First Match
He acknowledged the difficulty of the first match on any level, saying: “The opening match is always difficult, and we also faced a team that has good players who play professionally in the European leagues.”
Intensifying Work with Players
He continued: “The Saudi national team players must participate primarily with their clubs. I have 20 players sitting on the bench in local matches, and there is no solution to this dilemma. We only have to intensify work with them.”
No Injury for Mutab Al-Harbi
The Italian confirmed that Mutab Al-Harbi, the left back, was not injured, despite being forced to be substituted in the 33rd minute of the match. He explained: “Mutaib does not have an injury, and perhaps the pressures of the past period affected him, which is what caused him to leave.”
Conclusion
The Saudi national football team faces a challenge in translating opportunities into results, and coach Roberto Mancini is working to intensify his team’s performance. Despite the struggles, the team has a unique identity and style of play.
FAQs
Q: Why did Roberto Mancini rely on 20 reserve players for the Asian qualifiers?
A: Because most of the team’s players lack opportunities with their clubs, and he had to rely on reserve players to field a competitive team.
Q: What was the result of the match against the Indonesian national team?
A: The match ended in a 1-1 draw.
Q: Is Mutab Al-Harbi injured?
A: No, he is not injured, but may have been affected by the pressures of the past period.